The Subways: Untypical Posers
May 25th 2008 12:40
I usually refuse to like early twenty-something punk rockers. I simply don’t think 20 years of living some kind of life is enough to make you a genuine dejected crazy bastard; or maybe I just didn’t grow up properly. Anyways, that song in the video clip was so cool that I instantly forgot about my biased sentiment, to the point where I can be easily forgiving if they turn out to be mere posers who are still struggling to differentiate the left from right wing.
So I’ve managed to listen to the entire tracks on their first album, and my spontaneous thought was they are the richer version of the White Stripes because they have:
1) an actually talented drummer (Okay, to be fair 99% drummers that still exist or become extinct are heads and shoulders over Meg White),
2) more rounded vocalists,
3) brasher guitar work, and most importantly
4) their music is not as repetitive.
Below are my reviews on my top 4 Subways songs, the four that best describes how they are truly prominent musicians. Coincidentally, these four are ones that had decent success as hit singles in the UK.
1. Girls and boys –
This starts off with an instrumental intro consists of 4 different combinations of drum parts, and another 2 on the verses and chorus. Albeit lyrically not so much challenging (Tori Amos for me still wins the most creative lyricist award), the melody and arrangement make up a lot of ground, particularly the guitar riffs that literally don’t hold back from beginning to end. I too love the idea of having not only two, but different gendered vocalists on top of each other. This song is the best example in showcasing how they are musically explorative.
Favourite Lyric: “The World is always some kind of daydream, another message that they just don't see.”
Video (Official):
2. Oh Yeah -
The moderately fast 1-2 beats definitely highlight the emotion of this song. It’s about a twenty something couple wildly reminiscing memories when they were in love with each other at 17. I guess that’s pretty blah actually, but on a side note, they put on a pretty cute video clip. Favourite Lyric: “God bless your soul girl, now you got the whole world.”
Video (Official):
3. No Goodbyes -
The atmosphere here reminds me a bit of a fellow UK band, Travis, where the acoustic guitar predominantly empowers the song while the electric humming in the background, not the usual other way around. It’s relaxing and very fitting for an intimate backyard barbecue gathering, which is a bit surprising how lyrically beautiful and mellow this song sounds considering how punk image the band puts on. Nonetheless, a great song is still a great song.
Favourite Lyric: “I can see the colours of your mind. Time and time again I'm left outside.”
Video (Official):
4. Rock And Roll Queen –
Nasal singing is always off-putting, but for some reason, at the beginning of the song, the singer actually manages to do it without reminding us the vocally challenged Britney Spears. It’s fittingly lascivious and naughty. The lyrics may be too simple and cyclical, however the music diversifies throughout. Favourite Lyric: “My heart is blue for you. Be my, be my, be my little rock and roll queen.”
Video (Official):
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